Custom software solutions have become a cornerstone for businesses looking to scale and optimize their operations. Our journey with 3Sixty, a leader in global accommodations and B2B technology solutions, is a testament to the transformative power of these bespoke systems.
But before we dive into the story, we want to let you know that this case study has a great happy ending. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride as we take you through the exciting process that led to 3Sixty's remarkable achievements.
The Beginning: Custom Software Solutions as the Catalyst
It all started with a call from Westbridge Venture Capital, a major player in the investment world. They approached us with an urgent request—one of their portfolio companies, 3Sixty, was struggling with outdated technology. Despite their success in managing global relocations for clients like Amazon, their existing software products were hindering further growth. They needed a custom software solution to enhance user experience and streamline their business processes.
Recognizing the Success
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of the process, let's highlight the outcomes. With our custom software solution, 3Sixty achieved:
- "Innovation of The Year" Award: Recognized for their success in managing global relocations.
- Increased Efficiency: Automated processes reduced manual tasks, saving time and costs.
- Enhanced User Experience: Improved functionality and user-friendly interfaces delighted clients and suppliers.
- Global Reach and Scalability: Handled increasing volumes of transactions and users with ease.
These accolades mark a triumphant end to a journey that was as challenging as it was rewarding. Now, let's rewind and explore the steps that led to these successes.
The Problem: Why 3Sixty Needed Custom Software Solutions
3Sixty's primary concern was their outdated technology stack. The system lacked the functionality and user experience necessary to support their growing client base and evolving business needs. They required a custom software solution that could:
- Improve user experience for both clients and suppliers.
- Enhance functionalities to meet the demands of their blue-chip clients.
- Ensure a high-touch, hyper-local experience for users worldwide.
- Automate processes to reduce manual interventions and errors.
- Integrate seamlessly with third-party services and APIs.
Despite having a skilled internal team, 3Sixty needed specific expertise to address these challenges. This is where our dedicated team at Southern Code came in, ready to co-create and enhance 3Sixty's existing capabilities.
The Challenge: Enhancing Business Processes with Custom Software
Our goal was to blend 3Sixty's operational expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver a high-quality, compliant, and efficient accommodation experience. The challenges were clear:
- Tech-Enabled Marketplace: Create a data-driven, product-focused platform with process automation.
- Self-Service Offering: Develop an industry-leading self-service solution for B2C through B2B processes.
- Housing as a Service: Offer a vetted, compliant, and on-demand global inventory.
- Streamlined Digital Experience: Eliminate physical interface friction by offering a seamless digital experience.
- Recalibration of Fundamentals: Reimagine the fundamentals of the alternative accommodations industry.
Assembling the Team: A Co-Creation Effort
To tackle these challenges, we assembled a team of over 35 experts, including project managers, business analysts, QA testers, scrum masters, developers, UI/UX designers, DevOps engineers, and product owners. This diverse team brought over 15 years of experience in the IT ecosystem to the table. Working in tandem with 3Sixty’s internal team, we embarked on a journey of co-creation, ensuring that our custom solutions were perfectly tailored to their needs.
The Development Process: Building Custom Software for 3Sixty
UX Research and Ideation
Our journey began with extensive UX research to understand the needs and pain points of 3Sixty's users. We created detailed user personas and mapped out user journeys, focusing on essential features such as registration, product discovery, booking, listing creation, reservation management, and the bid process.
Designing a Robust System
We developed a comprehensive design system using Figma to ensure consistency and scalability across the platform. This included components for the home page, discovery section, and property detail pages. Our aim was to enhance the user experience and provide a seamless integration of all features.
Selecting the Right Tech Stack
Choosing the right technology stack was crucial. We opted for a combination that included:
- Backend: Microservices architecture using Django FastAPI, PostgreSQL, ArangoDB, Redis, RabbitMQ.
- Frontend: JavaScript, React with Next.js, multi-zone distributed apps.
- Infrastructure: Docker, Kubernetes, Azure Cloud, Azure API Gateway.
- Testing: Webdriver.io for end-to-end testing, Cypress for integration tests, Postman for API testing, Pytest.
- Third-Party Integrations: Stripe for payments, Google Places API for geolocation, Exchange rates API for currency quoting, Hotelbeds API for additional lodging options.
This robust tech stack ensured that 3Sixty's platform was not only powerful but also flexible and scalable, capable of adapting to future needs and challenges.
Agile Methodology for Custom Application Development
Adopting the SCRUM methodology, we worked in two-week sprints to ensure continuous delivery and improvement. Regular sprint reviews and retrospectives helped us stay aligned with 3Sixty's goals and make necessary adjustments promptly.
Implementing Key Features
We implemented several key features to enhance the platform's functionality, such as:
- Search Functionality: Users can search for accommodations by address, point of interest, region, country, etc.
- Property Listings: Suppliers can create and manage property listings, including pricing, tax rules, and promotions for long stays.
- Booking System: Integrated booking accommodations with date selection, check-in details, real-time alerts, and notifications.
- Stripe Integration: Seamless payment processing through Stripe.
- Social Features: Users can save favorite rentals and invite contacts to plan trips together.
- Ratings and Reviews: Guests can share their experiences, enhancing transparency and trust.
- Bid Model: Suppliers can participate in a bid process for reservations, increasing competitiveness.
- Supplier and Accommodation Curation: Ensured a high-quality, vetted inventory for users.
These features were meticulously designed and implemented to ensure a seamless integration and exceptional user experience, addressing both the needs of travelers and suppliers.
Overcoming Industry Challenges with Software Solutions
The hospitality sector within the Real Estate industry presents unique challenges, particularly in the realm of corporate relocation and temporary housing. Companies require tailored, cost-effective, and automated solutions to manage relocations efficiently. Additionally, there's a need for high-quality, pre-vetted accommodations that comply with corporate policies and requirements.
Our custom software solutions addressed these challenges head-on. By automating processes and providing a seamless digital experience, we reduced manual interventions and improved efficiency. The integration with third-party APIs ensured a comprehensive offering that included various accommodation options, real-time geolocation data, and seamless payment processing.
Conclusion: A Success Story of Custom Software Solutions
Our partnership with 3Sixty is a testament to the power of custom software solutions in driving business growth. By addressing their unique challenges and leveraging cutting-edge technology, we helped 3Sixty expand their reach and increase their sales. This success story highlights the importance of collaboration and innovation in the technology sector.
At Southern Code, we are proud to be 3Sixty's trusted tech partner, and we look forward to continuing our journey together. If you're looking for a custom software solution to drive your business forward, let's start a conversation. Our team of experts is ready to help you achieve your goals and navigate the challenges of your industry.
Contact us today to learn more about how our custom software solutions can transform your business.